Post date: Oct 12, 2010 7:9:12 PM
The woman accused of abusing teenagers at Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa says she is happy she was acquitted of all charges.
SEBOKENG, SOUTH AFRICA (OCTOBER 12, 2010) - A South African Magistrate's Court acquitted a former dormitory matron who was accused of abusing teenagers at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for girls on Monday (October 11). Virginia Tiny Makopo from Sebokeng, a region an hour outside of Johannesburg, faced 14 counts of child abuse including assault, harassment, soliciting a minor to perform indecent acts and verbal abuse. A former colleague also accused Makopo of indecent assault.
The magistrate who presided on the case, found that the state could not prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, according to the National Prosecution Authority.
Makopo who has been unemployed pending the outcome of the case said she feels vindicated by the outcome of the trial.
"I am happy that I was found not guilty. I am happy that it is over," she said.
The alleged victims, aged between 13 and 15 at the time, each testified against Makopo during the lengthy trial which started in 2007, along with three witnesses. Winfrey has praised their bravery throughout the police investigation.
Makopo said even though the trial was emotional draining, she does not bear ill feeling towards her accusers.
"I love them (referring to the alleged victims) more than anything in this world," said the 30 year-old woman.
Makopo's family and friends also expressed joy at her acquittal.
Her best friend Lebohang Mlambo said Makopo's resilience during the trial is admirable.
" Challenges come in different forms it depends on how you handle them. I got to see that my friend is strong if it were me I would have died, she went through hell for the past three years," she said.
As Makopo and her family celebrate, Winfrey released a statement expressing disappointment by the trial's outcome.
The 40 million USD leadership Academy for Girl opened in January 2007 with an aim to give girls from disadvantaged backgrounds a better education. This was welcomed in a country where the majority of black schools are struggling to overcome the legacy of apartheid. At the time Oprah Winfrey expressed that educating the girls would be the first step towards changing the nation.
"The reason why I wanted to build a school for girls is because I know that when you begin to educate a girl you begin to change the face of a nation. Because girls become women, and they educate their girls and their boys and their children," she said during a press conference in Meyerton.
The school has computers, science labs, a library and a fitness centre within its 22 acre grounds and is home to 300 girls from across South Africa.